front of the "Cross Enterprises

d above her, sleek and intimidatin

n Cro

strap of her bag as she forced

choice," she re

had

been "pushe

breath, she st

erprises was nothing s

andelier sparkled above. Men and women in tailored suits moved thr

t "out of

ont desk, where a woman in a crisp bla

Mr. Cross," Alina said, tr

her in, her expression unreadable. Then,

e hanging up and nodding towar

hesi

no turning

ator, watching the numbers

as met with a long, dimly lit h

she made her way forward, until she r

he could

me

a fr

and commanding, sent a

the doors open an

with dark wood and floor-to-ceilin

ere he

esk, "Damon Cross looked every

his dark hair was neatly styled, his

breath h

dangerous."

ruin" her with

he murmured, glan

lf to step forward

his lips. "We'll

into fists. "God, h

nodding toward the ch

ore lowering hers

s elbows on the desk. "Do you un

t's more than scheduling mee

ned. "You assu

ded in fro

efore flipping it open

nts. Contracts that bound her

t dry. "This

f you want out, this

lse po

testi

walk away." To run before

other

was "alread

e picked u

sign

e took the papers, his fin

rk curved

o my world

w office-"a glass-walled space right

ritory. And now, i

oor pulled her f

here. Tall, muscular, with sharp gr

aid smoothly. "Damon'

tened. "Nice

ope you know what yo

ver ran th

espond, the phone

rough the intercom. "Mr. Cross

exha

rst "o

f, she pushed o

red. He was focused on his compu

it

a ob

ilence before he fi

deliver somet

ked. "De

ed black envelope"

ated. "What

twitched. "That's

rt "stu

is wasn't a "regular

eached for t

ng it?" she aske

es locked

will be se

an down h

, neither of

en

shoul

g the envelope tight

rely starte

she was in

rived at the address

, her stomach twisting as

rehou

ilent. "

gripping the en

could knock, the

der, with sharp eyes

s new girl?

"I'm just here

taking the envelo

ing inside. Then, his

ld

ger

hed as he turned hi

er, he "step

me

lse "s

just told t

nsis

blood ra

n't "opt

ly, she re

nt her into t